The correct answer is option 'C', which is the slave trade.

During the fifteenth century, European colonialism began and with it emerged various trades. One of the most significant trades that emerged during this time was the slave trade. Let's explore this in detail:

1. European Colonialism:
European colonialism refers to the period when European powers, primarily from Portugal, Spain, France, England, and the Netherlands, established colonies and trading posts around the world. This period began in the fifteenth century and lasted until the twentieth century.

2. Exotic Commodities:
Along with the establishment of colonies, European powers sought to trade in exotic commodities. These commodities included spices, precious metals, textiles, and other valuable goods that were not commonly found in Europe. The trade of these commodities was driven by the desire for wealth, power, and control over global trade routes.

3. Slave Trade:
The slave trade was another trade that emerged during the fifteenth century. European powers, particularly Portugal and later other European nations, began to engage in the transatlantic slave trade. This involved capturing Africans from various regions of the continent, transporting them across the Atlantic Ocean, and selling them as slaves in the Americas.

4. Reasons for the Slave Trade:
The slave trade was driven by several factors. Firstly, there was a high demand for labor in the Americas, particularly in the plantations of the Caribbean and the southern colonies of North America. Enslaved Africans were seen as a cheap and abundant source of labor for these industries.

Secondly, Europeans believed in the racial superiority of white Europeans and considered Africans to be inferior. This racist ideology justified the enslavement of Africans and their brutal treatment.

Lastly, the profits from the slave trade were immense. European traders and slave ship owners made significant profits from buying and selling enslaved Africans, which further perpetuated the growth of the trade.

5. Impact of the Slave Trade:
The transatlantic slave trade had profound and devastating consequences. It resulted in the displacement and forced migration of millions of Africans, who were torn from their homes and families. The conditions on slave ships were horrific, with many enslaved individuals dying during the Middle Passage.

Once enslaved Africans arrived in the Americas, they endured harsh working conditions, physical abuse, and the denial of basic human rights. The slave trade also had long-lasting effects on Africa, as it disrupted societies, economies, and led to the depopulation of certain regions.

In conclusion, the slave trade emerged during the fifteenth century along with the European colonialism and the trade of exotic commodities. The demand for labor in the Americas and the racist ideology of European powers fueled the growth of the slave trade. However, it is important to recognize the immense suffering and long-term consequences that this trade imposed on millions of enslaved Africans and their descendants.